The Men’s Doubles semifinals at the European Championships in Ljubljana will feature an all-French encounter between brothers Félix and Alexis LEBRUN and Esteban DORR and Florian BOURRASSAUD, while Sweden’s Anton KALLBERG and Kristian KARLSSON and Moldova’s Vladislav URSU and Andrei PUTUNTICA have also secured their places on the podium.
The quarterfinals produced two dramatic five-game battles, a remarkable Swedish comeback and a historic achievement for Moldova, with all four winning pairs now guaranteed at least a bronze medal.
KALLBERG and KARLSSON produced one of the most impressive comebacks of the morning, recovering from 0-2 down to defeat Germany’s Benedikt DUDA and Dang QIU 3-2. The Swedish pair lost the opening two games 8-11, 8-11, but responded to take the next three 11-9, 14-12, 12-10.
“We didn’t feel like we were far behind, even being down 2-0. So we had to make some small adjustments and kept believing that the match was ours to win or lose. It was close all the way to the end, so we really had to leave it all out there,” said KARLSSON.
KALLBERG believes the manner of their victory will give the pair additional confidence heading into the medal matches.
“This win obviously boosts our confidence, not only because of how we played but also how we turned the match around. We were at our best when it was most important, which is often what it comes down to in the latter stages of a European Championship.”
The LEBRUN brothers also had to battle through five games to overcome Finland’s Alex NAUMI and Benedek OLAH 3-2. After losing the opening game, the French pair moved 2-1 ahead before their opponents forced a decider. Félix and Alexis eventually prevailed 11-8 in the fifth game.
“Of course, it was a huge relief, especially knowing that we’ve secured a medal. We want to go further, but we’re already very happy to have guaranteed ourselves a medal. It was an extremely difficult match, with so much tension. To come through in the end, especially after being in such a difficult position, feels really good. I think our celebration was definitely a reaction of relief,” said Félix LEBRUN.
Alexis LEBRUN shared his brother’s emotions.
“I feel exactly the same as Félix. We’re very happy to have secured a medal, but it was incredibly tough. We really had to dig deep and rely on our fighting spirit to get through. That makes the victory even more satisfying.”
Their semifinal opponents, DORR and BOURRASSAUD, overcame Serbia’s Zsolt PETO and Uroš NINKOVIC 3-0. Although the result suggested a comfortable victory, the French pair faced a difficult opening game, recovering from 8-10 down to win 12-10 before taking the following two games 11-7, 11-8.
“It was a really tough match, even though the score doesn’t suggest that. A 3-0 result looks convincing, but every game was difficult, especially the first one. We were trailing 10-8, but we managed to come back to 10-10. We made some tactical adjustments, won that opening game, and I think that gave us a psychological advantage,” explained DORR.
“We are really happy. This is our second medal at a major championship after winning bronze at the World Championships last year. Now we are delighted to have the opportunity to play in the European Championships semifinals.”
BOURRASSAUD is looking forward to the challenge of facing his compatriots, with whom he regularly trains.
“We will work on how to beat the LEBRUN brothers. That’s our task for this afternoon and tomorrow morning. Of course, we know them very well. We train together all the time, including in Doubles, so we know each other’s games. They are definitely the big favourites, but we will try to disrupt their rhythm, create an opportunity and take it. We will do our best.”
“Playing a European Championships semifinal against our friends is something special. We are grateful to be here, and we will fight like hell to win and secure our place in the final.”
Moldova’s URSU and PUTUNTICA completed the semifinal line-up with a commanding 3-0 victory over Belgium’s Adrien RASSENFOSSE and Martin ALLEGRO. Their success was particularly significant for PUTUNTICA, who celebrated his first European Championships medal.
“It feels great! It’s our first medal playing together and my first medal overall at the European Championships. This is actually the first time we have competed together in Doubles at the European Championships, and we already have a medal. It’s a wonderful feeling,” said PUTUNTICA.
“We have developed our own system and we understand each other very well. He knows me, I know him, and somehow everything works. We take it step by step, and I feel that we have controlled most of the matches we have played so far.”
The Moldovan pair had not arrived in Ljubljana with a medal as their stated target.
“To be honest, we didn’t come here with a medal as our goal. We just wanted to play and enjoy the game as much as possible, and somehow it worked. Everything that comes now is a bonus, but we are confident and we will definitely fight,” added PUTUNTICA.
For URSU, the medal carries both personal and national significance.
“This is my second European Championships medal in Doubles. It’s nice to win another one, although the first medal is always the sweetest. Of course, we are very happy, and we will fight to reach the final. It will certainly be difficult, but we have to find the right solution against our next opponents. I feel quite confident in my game, so I just need to maintain my concentration.”
“It means a lot for our country because we don’t have many medals. I won Moldova’s first European Championships medal together with my Austrian partner, Maciej KOLODZIEJCZYK. Now we have three medals in total.”
With all four pairs having secured their medals, attention now turns to the semifinals and the battle for places in the European Championships final.
